5.05.2005

CLEARWATER, FL., USA, May 5 (CNA) - Angering many members of the pro-life movement, the West Pasco, Florida Bar Association recently honored Circuit Court Judge George Greer, who ordered the starvation of Terri Schiavo in February.

Joan Nelson Hook, president of the association told the AP that, “We admired his ability to sustain the pressure not to follow the law…I don't think anyone could ever say his decisions were unlawful."

Father Frank Pavone however, head of the group Priests for Life, who was with Schiavo for many of her last hours, said that "On the night before Terri Schiavo died, I said to the national media that Judge Greer was a murderer.”

“Terri”, he continued, “was not dying until she stopped receiving food and water. Once deprived of that sustenance, she died. It does not require any legal or medical expertise to recognize that as murder. Nobody who has lost the basic capability to understand that should be honored."

The bar association presented Judge Greer with the award by almost unanimous decision.

Added Hook: "We admired his ability to sustain the pressure not to follow the law. I think that shows his character.''